Fluid control apparatus



1952 c. F. ABRESCH FLUID CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Sept. 28. 1949 Patented Feb. 26, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLUID CONTROL APPARATUS Carel F. Abresch, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to General Motors Corporation, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware This invention relates to domestic appliances and more particularly to washing machines.

An object of this invention is to provide .a pumping device for a washing machine which is adapted to pump liquid into the washing machine to fill the same, and alternatively to discharge liquid therefrom.

Another object of this invention is to provide a washing machine requiring a vacuum to be imparted to it, with a pumping system whereby the pump acts to introduce wash-water into the tub, and to withdraw liquid and impart a vacuum to wring the clothes.

Another object of this invention is to provide a washing machine with a jet action pump'capable of introducing liquid into the washing ma chine for washing purposes, and to impart a vacuum to the machine to wring the clothes.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawing the figure is a diagrammatic representation of a machine embodying features of my invention. 1

A washing machine I is provided with a flexible diaphragm II and a drainage chamber I2 connected to an intake and discharge pipe I3.

The construction is such that the washing chamr ber I4 is under atmospheric pressure during the washing operation, and is under a partial vacuum during the wringing operation, to collapse the flexible diaphragm I against the clothes, and

to discharge the wash-water through the pipe I3- eventually into the discharge hose I5 to a suitable drain. A vent Ia is provided to allow air under atmospheric pressure to enter and leave the space behind the diaphragm I I. Any washing machine requiring the introduction of liquid, and the imposition of a vacuum may be used. By way of example merely, a washing machine of the character disclosed in my copending application S. N. 34,038, filed June 19, 1948, may be used. However, it is to be understood that washing machines of a difierent character may embody features of my invention.

The washing machine may be connected by the trap I6 and pipe I! with a jet chamber I8 of a jet pump system including the centrifugal or mechanical pump I9, air and water separator and recirculating pipes 2I and 22. When a vacuum is to be imparted to the washing machine, the jet 23 imparts a vacuum to the pip I1, and discharges the withdrawn contents, through the pipe 2|, to the separator 20. Here any air,

and excess water are discharged through the pipe I5, and a certain amount of water is recirculated through the pipe 22, pump I9, back to the jet 23, to impart the aforesaid vacuum.

In order to fill the washing machine with Washing liquid, the jet pump is utilized to introduce such liquid. To this end a solenoid mixing valve 25 may be supplied with hot and cold water through one or more pipes 26, and the water is discharged at a constant volume through the fauset 2'! into the stand pipe 28. The water fiows through the pipe 29 to the inlet 30 of the centrifugal pump. A solenoid valve 3| is so controlled that the valve closes, or partially closes, the pipe 2| during the filling operation. Under such conditions, any liquid flowing out of the jet 23 is forced upwardly through the pipe I'I, reservoir l6, pipe I3 into the washing machine. Since the timer 32 maintains the valve 23 open for a correct period of time, the correct amount of liquid is introduced into the washing machine.

The purpose of the trap I6 is to receive any liquid standing in pipe I5 and to prevent it from rising into the tub II] to wet the clothes when the vacuum is being broken.

In the operation of the machine, clothes and detergent are introduced through an opening produced by removing the cover 33. Thereafter the cover is replaced. The motor 34 drives the centrifugal pump I9, and slowly rotates the Washing machine I0. The solenoid valve 25 is opened and closed by the timer, so that a measured amount of liquid is discharged into the well 28. At the same time solenoid valve 3| is closed, so that continued rotation of the pump I9 causes this liquid to be backed up through the pipes I! and I3 into the space I4, where the clothes are washed by the rotating action of the tub I0. After the proper length of time, the timer 32 opens the solenoid valve 3|. This allows the liquid discharged from the jet 23 to pass through the pipe 2| into the separator 20. Any excess liquid and/or air are discharged upwardly through pipe I5 to a drain tub or the like. A certain amount of liquid, which may be termed operating liquid, is recirculated through the pump l9 and the jet 23, eventually to impart a vacuum in the chamber I4, causing the flexible diaphragm II to collapse against the clothes under atmospheric pressure on the opposite side of the diaphragm, thus wringing the clothes. After the clothes have been wrung, the timer may repeat the water introducing and removing operations one or more times, to produce a rinsing and wringing action.

The vacuum in space I4 is broken, while the pump it is running, by the closing of solenoid valve 3 I, which causes air and water to be backed into the space M. Any water accompanying the air is arrested in trap l6, which is large enough to hold any water that may be standing in the pipes of the machine.

A check valve 40 in the pipe 29, during the vacuum cycle, prevents Water from being pumped back into the stand pipe 28.

A check valve vent M which is slightly springloaded allows air to leave the space [4 during the filling operation; but prevents air from entering the space I4 during the vacuum cycle.

The nozzle 21 is sufliciently above the top of the stand pipe 28 to prevent water from being drawn into the nozzle 27, should the water supply accidentally create a suction effect.

While the form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, as may come within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. In combination: an enclosure adapted to have a vacuum imparted thereto and adapted to have liquid introduced therein; a jet pump having its normal intake connected to said enclosure and its discharge connected to a separator; a centrifugal pump; recirculating passages between said separator, centrifugal pump and jet pump; liquid supply means connected to the intake of said centrifugal pump; and an obstructing means a between said jet pump and separator to cause liquid to be backed up into said enclosure.

2. In combination: an enclosure adapted to have a vacuum imparted thereto and adapted to have liquid introduced thereto; a jet pump having its normal suction opening connected to said enclosure and having its normal discharge opening connected to a separator; a mechanical pump having its intake opening connected to said separator, and its discharge opening connected to said jet pump; liquid introducing means connected to the intake of said mechanical pump; and an obstructing valve between said jet pump and separator.

3. In combination: an enclosure; a jet pump having its normal suction connected to the enclosure; means to introduce liquid into the jet of said jet pump, and an obstructing valve in the normal discharge of said jet pump to cause liquid to back up into said enclosure.

4. In combination: an enclosure to be filled with and emptied of liquid; a jet pump having a low pressure jet chamber connected to said enclosure; a mechanical pump and a separator in a fluid recirculating cycle with said jet pump; a liquid supply pipe connected to said cycle; and a restricting device on the discharge side of said jet pump adapted to reverse the flow between said jet pump and enclosure.

5. In combination: an enclosure to be filled with and emptied of liquid; a jet pump having a low pressure jet chamber connected to said enclosure; a mechanical pump and a separator in a fluid recirculating cycle with said jet pump; a liquid supply standpipe open at its upper end to the atmosphere and having its other end connected to said cycle; and a restricting device on the discharge side of said jet pump adapted to reverse the flow between said jet pump and enclosure.

6. In combination: an enclosure to be filled with and emptied of liquid; a jet pump having a low pressure jet chamber connected to said enclosure; a mechanical pump and a separator in a fluid recirculating cycle with said jet pump; a liquid supply standpipe open at its upper end to the atmosphere and having its other end connected to said cycle; a valve to prevent backward flow in said standpipe; and a restricting device on the discharge side of said jet pump adapted to reverse the flow between said jet pump and enclosure.

CAREL F. ABRESCH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 963,723 Pierce July 5, 1910 1,985,485 Crane Dec. 25, 1934 2,472,682 Rand June '7, 1949 

